The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

OPENING SESSION
<strong>The</strong> consultative meeting began with a welcome by Rainer Rosenbaum,
Director <strong>of</strong> the UNFPA CST in Bratislava. His remarks were followed by
statements <strong>of</strong> H. E. Pal Csaky, Deputy Prime Minister <strong>of</strong> the Slovak Republic for
Human and Minority Rights and Regional Development, concerning the
importance <strong>of</strong> not underestimating issues <strong>of</strong> violence against women and the
impact <strong>of</strong> conflict on women and girls. He stressed the need to alleviate
difficulties in conflict and post-conflict situations; reduce conflict; and promote
mutual understanding. Kunio Waki, Deputy Executive (Programme) Director,
UNFPA, also addressed participants at the opening session, noting the
importance <strong>of</strong> both short-term solutions and long-term developments, ensuring
that women are part <strong>of</strong> the efforts to achieve sustainability. He noted six areas in
which UNFPA can make a difference: analysis and sound research on effects <strong>of</strong>
conflict on women and girls; a review <strong>of</strong> past experiences in Afghanistan,
Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and other countries; identification <strong>of</strong>
strategies; exploration <strong>of</strong> potential venues in traditional governance structures for
reconstruction and development; improved partnerships with NGOs; and the
development <strong>of</strong> regional strategies for broader impact.
H.E. Elisabeth Rehn was the keynote speaker. She noted that Security
Council Resolution 1325 gives a platform for the engagement <strong>of</strong> peace activists
and others who have looked forward to solving reproductive health issues. She
remarked on the need to continue to look for greater roles for women in
leadership, citing examples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, East Timor
and Macedonia, among others. She stressed the need for providing education in
refugee camps, some <strong>of</strong> which have as much as 80 per cent illiteracy;
recognizing the different ways in which violence against women in conflict is
manifested; and addressing the issue <strong>of</strong> trafficking in women, which is common
in Eastern Europe. She recommended having women be involved in camp plans,
since most rapes and harassment happen in these settings; narrowing the
distance between headquarters and grass-roots levels; having NGOs start a new
mission with gender and human rights experts to ensure representation <strong>of</strong>
women’s point <strong>of</strong> view; and appointing women to higher positions to be a role
model for their programmes and other NGOs.
Sahir Abdul-Hadi, Chief, Gender Issues Branch, UNFPA, discussed the
background papers prepared for the meeting. She underscored the point that the
greater the involvement <strong>of</strong> refugee and internally displaced women in planning,
designing and monitoring reintegration plans, the less likely abuse and
exploitation will occur. She noted that women, representing half <strong>of</strong> the population,
are the mothers, wives, daughters and sisters <strong>of</strong> soldiers and rebels, who must
be mobilized, but also community opinion holders and potential leaders.
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